Review: Divergent

To the casual observer, Divergent might seem like an attempt to cash in on the success of The Hunger Games, especially when you consider the number of similarly themed previews that showed before Divergent.  It seems like “young adult” (hate that term) post-apocalyptic stories are “in” these days, and those who haven’t read the Divergent books might be tempted to write the film adaptation off as just another clone.  However, to do so would be a mistake, as the Divergent series has a lot to offer, even if this first film is perhaps not everything we might have hoped it would be.  The books are filled with interesting ideas and compelling characters and I hope the remaining books are adapted for the screen, because the story covered in the two remaining books is interesting and unconventional, and would make for movies very different than we’re used to.

Divergent tells the story of Beatrice Prior, who was born in a ruined, future version of Chicago, where the citizens are divided into five factions, each of which embodies a certain desirable trait and fulfills a certain role in society.  Continue reading

Quote of the Day

Miles O’Brien: I wouldn’t take it personally, Worf.

Julian Bashir: I rather like the way you smell.

Miles O’Brien: Yeah… sort of… earthy, peaty aroma.

Julian Bashir: With a touch of… lilac…

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Season 5: Episode 6 – “Trials and Tribble-ations”

Recap: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – “End of the Beginning”

Agents of SHIELD is back once more, this time with the promise of no more funky scheduling until the end of the season.  Last time we saw our heroes facing an Asgardian visitor and ended with the revelation that May has been spying on Coulson and company for some unknown authority.  Tonight our team decided to intensify the search for the Clairvoyant along with pretty much every agent who isn’t Nick Fury or Maria Hill, giving us an exciting episode that upped the mystery level even higher.  All of this happened while simultaneously setting us up for the premiere of Captain America: The Winter Soldier this weekend, which will lead directly into next week’s episode.  So let’s jump right into “End of the Beginning” written by Paul Zbyszewski and directed by Bobby Roth.

Continue reading

Some Advice About Digital Copies

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably bought many DVDs and Blu-rays over the years that have come with “digital copies,” which you proceeded to ignore.  Until recently, I had no interest in digital versions of my movie collection.  I had no interest in watching movies on my computer when my TV is just one room away, I didn’t want my hard drive filled up with movies I would never watch, and I didn’t own a portable device capable of playing a digital copy.  However, for the past couple weeks I’ve been in the process of going through my many boxes of empty DVD cases (I keep all of my DVDs in sleeves/booklets) and while removing the paperwork from the cases I ended up with a stack of redemption codes for digital movies.  When I combined that stack with a newly purchased computer and my iPhone, I started to reconsider digital copies.  In the process of sorting through these movies and codes I learned a few things that might be of interest to anyone else out there like me, who has these codes but doesn’t know what’s involved in obtaining a digital copy or why such a thing would be appealing.  I would imagine at this point most average consumers still don’t care much about owning digital copies of movies  (and this is without getting into the whole Digital Rights Management debate, which is a topic for another time), and are content with their physical copies or streaming services like Netflix.  However, I would bet the average movie watcher owns at least a few “combo packs” that came with a digital copy, and might be curious about it.  So here are some things that you might find it useful to know. Continue reading

Quote of the Day

“Very well, then,” said Dumbledore, pushing open the broom shed door and stepping out into the yard.  “I see a light in the kitchen.  Let us not deprive Molly any longer of the chance to deplore how thin you are.”

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – J. K. Rowling

Quote of the Day

Giles:  It’s getting worse!

Buffy:  What’s getting worse?

Giles:  The influx of the undead, the… supernatural occurrences, it’s been building for years. There’s a reason why you’re here and a reason why it’s now!

Buffy:  Because now is the time my mom moved here.

Giles:  Something’s coming, something, something… something is, is gonna happen here. Soon!

Buffy:  Gee, can you vague that up for me?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 1: Episode 1 – “Welcome to the Hellmouth”

Quote of the Day

“Aregg?” Sunny asked incredulously. “Incredulously” is a word which here means “not being able to believe it,” and “Aregg” is a word which here means “What? I can’t believe it.”

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Austere Academy – Lemony Snicket

Review: Muppets Most Wanted

2011’s The Muppets was hilarious, heartfelt, emotional, nostalgic, zany and inventive, and it brought the Muppets back to the level of success and relevance they deserve.  Muppets Most Wanted is all of those things as well, but to a somewhat lesser degree.  The Muppets was such a revelation and a revitalization that it would be impossible for Muppets Most Wanted to match, but this new film wisely strikes out on its own path, taking things on the road and steering well clear of recycling the story from the last movie.  And in the end, no matter how the rest of the film plays out, it’s always good to see the Muppets together again.

Muppets Most Wanted picks up literally right where The Muppets left off, replicating the final shot of that film.  Continue reading

Quote of the Day

[Bashir has killed Keiko’s plants.]

Julian Bashir: You don’t need me there. I’ve seen you handle your wife thousands of times. Just say you’re sorry and that you take full responsibility; you’ll be fine! Besides, I, er, have to be in surgery – operating.

Miles O’Brien: On who?

Julian Bashir: I’ll find someone.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Season 5: Episode 5 – “The Assignment”

Tonight’s Movie

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